Last Updated on August 12, 2024
What is World Youth Day? Well, you see, dear readers, International Youth Day, also termed World Youth Day, is observed or celebrated as a day of recognition and appreciation of the youth and their contribution or worth in society. Now, the question arises, “When is Youth Day?” Celebrated on the 12th of August every year, this international day of youth also seeks to increase knowledge of developments and concerns affecting youths across the world. Raising the issues affecting the youths of the current generation on an international platform, International Youth Day calls for the promotion of policies and structures that help solve these problems. This, therefore, will help promote youth participation towards representing themselves and the general population in a bid to fashion out a better future for themselves and society.
International Youth Day History
On December 9, 1965, the General Assembly approved the Declaration on the promotion among youth of the ideals of peace, mutual respect and understanding between peoples within the framework of the resolution 2037. From 1965 to 1975, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council emphasised three main themes: participation and rights, human development, and peace. Yet, what came out clearly was the requirement of an international policy on youth.
In 1979, the General Assembly designated 1985 as International Youth Year. This principle is best summed up by the United Nations Children’s Charter: Participation, Development, Peace through Resolution 34/151. To go further in planning and suitable follow-up in the field of youth, the Assembly approved guidelines by adopting resolution 40/14 in 1985.
The United Nations General Assembly, by its resolution 64/134 of December 19, 2009, designated the year starting from August 12, 2010, as the International Day of Youth. The current event calls upon governments, civil societies, individuals and communities throughout the world to endorse activities at national and international levels. The Year was also the third quarter-century anniversary of the 1985 International Youth Year.
International Youth Day 2024 Theme:
The theme for this year’s celebration is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”
As the digital era forms the basis of the constantly changing world, new and new opportunities for advancing sustainability appear every day. On the wave of such innovations in this emerging world, the roles of technologies like mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are largely reflected as an agent that promotes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Let it be stated clearly that despite the fact that Generation Y is leading the digital interaction, not all young people are equally privileged to engage in such a process. Regulations that limit access to the internet and capability in digital devices there is a notable difference in the usage of the internet amongst low-income countries and young women than men. As the implementation of the SDGs by the year 2030 nears, youth, therefore, needs to be at the forefront in the use of technology to solve various problems.
Here are five points underscoring the significance of International Youth Day 2024
Awareness: Youth Day brings youth issues to the attention of the international community.
Recognition: This year, International Youth Day celebrates the potential of youth as essential contributors to society.
Engagement: It encourages young people to take active roles in their communities.
Dialogue: This international day of youth promotes intergenerational understanding and collaboration.
Action: The 2024 theme aims to inspire initiatives and activities that address youth-related challenges.
Final Thoughts
With this year’s theme of International Youth Day 2024, the young people of today are the leaders, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Both should be embraced and developed for the overall betterment of society for it is only through their improvement that society’s advancement can be sustainable.
Bhaskarjyoti Paul is a seasoned content writer with over three years of experience within the ed-tech space. Specialising in study abroad and academic content, Bhaskarjyoti excels at creating SEO-optimized articles that drive traffic and engagement and blog and website content that engages and informs readers. Bhaskarjyoti handles social media content for Admissify, designs compelling narratives and spearheads engagement across multiple platforms. With a desire to help students and a keen eye for detail, Bhaskarjyoti brings a wealth of knowledge to every project.
